Immediate Steps to Take If Someone Is Shot

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Quick Answer

• Call 911. It’s the first and most crucial step.
• Control severe bleeding. Direct pressure or a tourniquet if you know how.
• Keep the person still and as calm as possible.

Who This Is For

• Anyone who might be present when a shooting occurs.
• Folks who want to be prepared to help in a dire situation.

What to Check First If Someone Is Shot

• Your own safety. This is non-negotiable. Scan the area. Is the shooter gone? Is there any immediate danger to you or others? If it ain’t safe, you can’t help.
• Responsiveness. Gently tap the person’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” See if they stir or react.
• Breathing. Look at their chest for rise and fall. Listen for breath sounds. Feel for air on your cheek.
• Severe bleeding. This is what you’re looking for next. Is blood actively gushing out? Is it soaking through clothing rapidly? Spurting blood is a major red flag.

Step-by-Step Plan: What to Do If Someone Gets Shot

• Call 911 or your local emergency number. This is your absolute first move. What to look for: Get your phone out and dial. Don’t hesitate. Mistake to avoid: Thinking you can handle it yourself or waiting to assess the full extent of the injury before calling. Every second counts, and the dispatcher can guide you.
• Ensure Scene Safety. Once you’ve called, take another quick look around. What to look for: Confirmation that the immediate area is clear of the shooter or any ongoing threat. Mistake to avoid: Rushing to the victim’s side if the danger hasn’t passed. You becoming a casualty won’t help anyone.
• Check for Responsiveness and Breathing. Go to the person if it’s safe. Gently tap them and shout. Then, check for breathing. What to look for: Any sign of consciousness or normal breathing. Mistake to avoid: Assuming they’re okay or just dazed without performing these basic checks.
• Control Severe Bleeding. This is critical. If there’s life-threatening bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, your hands, or whatever you have available. If it’s on a limb and direct pressure isn’t enough, and you know how to use one, apply a tourniquet. What to look for: Blood soaking through bandages rapidly or spurting. Mistake to avoid: Applying light pressure or not covering the entire wound area. If blood soaks through, add more material on top; don’t remove the original dressing.
• Keep the Person Still and Calm. Reassure the injured individual. Tell them help is coming. What to look for: Someone who is conscious and can be spoken to. Mistake to avoid: Moving them unnecessarily, especially if you suspect a spinal injury. Letting them walk around if they are able can worsen bleeding.
• Monitor Their Condition. Keep a close eye on their breathing and level of consciousness until professional help arrives. What to look for: Any changes in their breathing, skin color, or responsiveness. Mistake to avoid: Getting distracted or assuming they are stable once you’ve applied pressure.

Immediate Actions for Gunshot Wound Victims

When faced with a gunshot wound, acting fast is key. The immediate aftermath of a shooting can be chaotic, but focusing on these core actions can make a life-saving difference. Remember, your primary role is to stabilize the person until paramedics can take over. This involves securing the scene, assessing the victim’s vital signs, and managing any catastrophic bleeding. It’s about buying time and preventing further harm.

The principles of immediate care for a gunshot victim are straightforward, though the situation itself is anything but. The most pressing concern is usually severe blood loss. This is where your actions can have the most direct impact. Controlling hemorrhaging is paramount. This means applying direct pressure to wounds, especially those on the limbs. If direct pressure isn’t sufficient to staunch the flow of blood, and the wound is on an arm or leg, a tourniquet becomes the next critical tool. It’s essential to understand that tourniquets are for life-threatening limb bleeding only and must be applied correctly to be effective and safe.

Beyond bleeding control, keeping the person as still and calm as possible is vital. Movement can exacerbate injuries and increase blood loss. Reassurance can go a long way in helping someone cope with the shock and pain. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and you have had training, you would then consider CPR. However, the immediate focus for a gunshot wound is almost always on stopping the bleeding.

Common Mistakes When Responding to a Gunshot Wound

• Failing to ensure scene safety — Why it matters: Your own safety is the absolute first priority. If you become injured, you can’t help anyone else, and you become another problem for first responders. — Fix: Always do a quick scan of your surroundings for any ongoing threats before approaching the victim. If the scene is not secure, stay back and call 911.
• Delaying the call to emergency services — Why it matters: Every minute lost is a minute that professional medical help isn’t on its way. For a gunshot wound, time is critical for survival and recovery. — Fix: Dial 911 immediately. It should be your very first action after ensuring your immediate safety.
• Not applying direct pressure effectively — Why it matters: Inadequate pressure means bleeding continues, potentially leading to shock and death. People sometimes don’t press hard enough or don’t cover the entire wound. — Fix: Use a clean cloth, shirt, or even your bare hands and press down firmly and directly onto the wound. If blood soaks through, add more material on top. Do not remove the initial dressing.
• Moving the injured person unnecessarily — Why it matters: Moving someone with a gunshot wound, especially if the torso is involved, can worsen internal bleeding and potentially cause spinal injuries if not handled carefully. — Fix: Only move the person if they are in immediate danger from the scene itself. Otherwise, keep them as still as possible in the position you found them.
• Trying to remove objects from the wound — Why it matters: Impaled objects can act as a plug, slowing bleeding. Removing them can cause more severe bleeding and further damage to tissues and organs. — Fix: Leave any objects embedded in the wound in place. Pack around them with clean material to help stabilize them and control bleeding.
• Using a tourniquet incorrectly or on the wrong wound — Why it matters: Improper tourniquet use can cause nerve damage, tissue death, or fail to stop bleeding. They are only for severe, life-threatening bleeding on limbs. — Fix: If you are not trained in tourniquet application, focus solely on direct pressure. If you are trained, apply it 2-3 inches above the wound (not on a joint) and tighten until bleeding stops.

FAQ: What to Do If Someone Gets Shot

• What is the very first thing I should do if I witness someone get shot?

Your absolute first priority is to ensure your own safety and then call 911 immediately. Getting professional help on the way is paramount.

• How do I know if the bleeding is severe enough to require a tourniquet?

If direct pressure isn’t stopping blood from soaking through bandages rapidly, or if the blood is spurting, it’s considered severe and life-threatening. Tourniquets are reserved for this level of bleeding on arms or legs.

• Where is the correct placement for a tourniquet on a limb?

Apply it about 2 to 3 inches above the wound, but not directly over a joint like the knee or elbow. Tighten it until the bleeding stops completely. Once applied, do not loosen it.

• Should I try to stop bleeding on the torso or head with a tourniquet?

No. Tourniquets are only for use on limbs. For wounds on the torso, neck, or head, focus entirely on applying firm, direct pressure.

• What if the person stops breathing?

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and you have received proper training, you should begin CPR. Continue chest compressions and rescue breaths until medical help arrives or you are physically unable to continue.

• Can I give the person anything to drink or eat?

Absolutely not. Do not give the injured person anything to eat or drink, even if they are asking for it. They may require surgery, and having anything in their stomach can complicate medical procedures.

• What is “shock” and how do I recognize it?

Shock is a life-threatening condition where the body isn’t getting enough blood flow. Signs include pale, clammy skin, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, confusion, and a drop in body temperature. If you suspect shock, keep the person warm and still while waiting for help.